Ethan Hawke Reflects on a Rivalry That Once Strained a Major Hollywood Friendship

Ethan Hawke recently opened up about a time in his life when competition ruled everything, even friendships. The actor shared the story during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday, where a familiar face on the wall sparked the memory.

While sitting on the couch, Hawke noticed a portrait of Billy Crudup and admitted that their relationship did not start out warm. He explained that when they were young actors, they were constantly up for the same roles.

When you are just starting out, you think you are against everybody, Hawke said, explaining how fear and insecurity can take over before you realize there is room for more than one person to succeed.

He talked about how often he would see Crudup at auditions. Sometimes Hawke would be waiting outside, listening as Crudup performed the scene first. Hawke admitted it was hard not to feel annoyed, saying that hearing him act was frustrating simply because he was so good.

Things became even more tense when Hawke turned down a stage role to take a movie job. That part ended up going to Crudup and became a major breakthrough for him. Hawke joked on the show that he sometimes wishes he could go back and undo that choice. The role turned out to be in the 1995 Broadway production of Arcadia by Tom Stoppard, which helped make Crudup a star.

Jimmy Fallon pointed out that Crudup was recently honored with his own portrait at the famous New York restaurant Sardi’s. Hawke agreed that the recognition made sense and said Crudup truly earned it.

These days, Hawke is looking back on that chapter with a lot more peace. As of February, he is having a huge moment in his career. He recently earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in Blue Moon.

The film, directed by Richard Linklater, streams on Netflix and marks their tenth project together. Hawke plays lyricist Lorenz Hart during one intense night at Sardi’s, bringing the story full circle.

He also premiered a new survival drama called The Weight at the Sundance Film Festival in late January. The film stars Hawke alongside Russell Crowe and follows a man caught in a dangerous gold-smuggling plot in 1930s Oregon. More projects are already lined up, including a historical film where Hawke will play Ralph Waldo Emerson opposite Natalie Portman and Oscar Isaac.

Billy Crudup is just as busy. He is currently starring in the stage production High Noon at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London, which runs through March 7. He also continues his role as Cory Ellison on The Morning Show, which recently aired its fourth season.

What once felt like a rivalry now looks more like two careers rising side by side. The early tension may be gone, but both actors are proof that there was always enough space for them at the top.

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